“I will also try to help Sinner for No. 1,” Lorenzo Musetti reveals his ‘patriotic’ objective against Novak Djokovic in French Open 3R

Novak Djokovic aiming to earn his fifth victory against Italian Lorenzo Musetti at the Roland Garros.

“I will also try to help Sinner for No. 1,” Lorenzo Musetti reveals his ‘patriotic’ objective against Novak Djokovic in French Open 3R

Lorenzo Musetti, (in top circle) Novak Djokovic, (in down circle) Jannik Sinner (via Imago)

At the 2024 French Open, patriotism seems to be at an all-time high. With the crowd backing French players to win matches, Lorenzo Musetti wants to help his fellow countryman Jannik Sinner get the World No.1 position by defeating Novak Djokovic.

In what will go down as an intense contest tomorrow between Djokovic and Musetti, the Italian has issued his main purpose ahead of the match. On the other hand, for Djokovic it is a must-win to keep his position in World No.1. The 37-year-old will have to beat Lorenzo Musetti and every other opponent until the final to save his position.

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But, he will have to pray that Sinner, who is currently ranked No.2 doesn’t reach the semifinals of the Roland Garros. Should both players reach the final, Jannik Sinner will surpass Djokovic regardless of the Serbian winning his fourth French Open. However, this would have been a different story for Djokovic if he had won the Italian Open or reached the final of the same.

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He was hoping to win his seventh Rome title but crashed out in the third round. He wanted to win a title before heading to Paris for the Roland Garros but his last-minute wildcard at Geneva only ended in the semifinals. Ahead of his meeting with Musetti, he will need to do more, as the Italian would give it his all to beat him.

Against Djokovic, I will also try to help Sinner for No. 1. I wish him not to place his hopes on me. He has his own path I think it is already well-written but if I can give him a hand, even a little. Patriotism doesn’t hurt.
Lorenzo Musetti said via Eurosport

Meanwhile, Sinner secured his position in the fourth round of the French Open. The Italian beat Russia’s Pavel Kotov 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round. The Russian was hoping to earn his second win against a Grand Slam Champion after beating Stan Wawrinka, but he failed to really challenge Sinner.

Novak Djokovic in a must-win contest against Lorenzo Musetti in the third round of the French Open

Novak Djokovic will be hoping to get the better of Lorenzo Musetti which he has done four of the five times they met. Musetti defeated the Serbian in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Monte Carlo 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to earn his first win.

He would have beaten Djokovic in the fourth round of the 2021 Roland Garros hadn’t it been for injury. The Italian was leading by two sets, in his debut at the Roland Garros, but suffered an injury that had him retire.

It will be the first major test for Djokovic, having beaten Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Roberto Carballes Baena in the opening rounds of the Roland Garros. On paper, the 37-year-old’s major test is against probably Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals.

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